CliffsNotes on Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

by Van Kirk, Susan

• ISBN13: 9780764586057
• ISBN10: 076458605X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-05
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes

Summary

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes on Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, you explore life in 17th-century Massachusetts as you follow the ordeal of Hester Prynne, who has been found guilty of adultery and sentenced to wear a scarlet letter A on her dress as a sign of shame. The Scarlet Letter is considered to be Hawthorne's finest work, depicting a world where the real meets the unreal, the actual meets the imaginary - in a classic story that is difficult to forget.This study guide carefully walks you through every step of Hester's journey by providing summaries and critical analyses of each chapter of the novel. You'll also explore the life and background of the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and gain insight into how he came to write The Scarlet Letter. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays on the novel's setting and structure, symbolism, and classification as a gothic romance A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern modern-day treasure - you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Author Biography

Susan Van Kirk has taught high school English in Monmouth, Illinois, for 30 years.

Table of Contents

Life and Background of the Author	1	(5)
Early/Formative Years	2	(2)
New Challenges and Writings	4	(1)
The Autumn of His Life	5	(1)
Introduction to the Novel	6	(7)
Introduction	7	(4)
List of Characters	11	(1)
Character Map	12	(1)
Critical Commentaries	13	(64)
The Custom House	14	(2)
Summary	14	(1)
Commentary	14	(2)
The Prison-Door	16	(3)
Summary	16	(1)
Commentary	16	(3)
The Market-Place	19	(3)
Summary	19	(1)
Commentary	19	(3)
The Recognition	22	(3)
Summary	22	(1)
Commentary	22	(3)
The Interview	25	(2)
Summary	25	(1)
Commentary	25	(2)
Hester at Her Needle	27	(3)
Summary	27	(1)
Commentary	27	(3)
Pearl	30	(2)
Summary	30	(1)
Commentary	30	(2)
The Governor's Hall	32	(3)
Summary	32	(1)
Commentary	32	(3)
The Elf-Child and the Minister	35	(3)
Summary	35	(1)
Commentary	35	(3)
The Leech	38	(3)
Summary	38	(1)
Commentary	38	(3)
The Leech and His Patient	41	(3)
Summary	41	(1)
Commentary	41	(3)
The Interior of a Heart	44	(2)
Summary	44	(1)
Commentary	44	(2)
The Minister's Vigil	46	(3)
Summary	46	(1)
Commentary	46	(3)
Another View of Hester	49	(2)
Summary	49	(1)
Commentary	49	(2)
Hester and the Physician	51	(1)
Summary	51	(1)
Commentary	51	(1)
Hester and Pearl	52	(2)
Summary	52	(1)
Commentary	52	(2)
A Forest Walk	54	(2)
Summary	54	(1)
Commentary	54	(2)
The Pastor and His Parishioner	56	(3)
Summary	56	(1)
Commentary	57	(2)
A Flood of Sunshine	59	(2)
Summary	59	(1)
Commentary	59	(2)
The Child at the Brook-Side	61	(2)
Summary	61	(1)
Commentary	62	(1)
The Minister in a Maze	63	(3)
Summary	63	(1)
Commentary	64	(2)
The New England Holiday	66	(2)
Summary	66	(1)
Commentary	66	(2)
The Procession	68	(3)
Summary	68	(1)
Commentary	69	(2)
The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter	71	(3)
Summary	71	(1)
Commentary	72	(2)
Conclusion	74	(3)
Summary	74	(1)
Commentary	75	(2)
Character Analyses	77	(13)
Hester Prynne	78	(3)
Arthur Dimmesdale	81	(2)
Roger Chillingworth	83	(4)
Pearl	87	(3)
Critical Essays	90	(19)
Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter	91	(6)
The Puritan Setting of The Scarlet Letter	97	(5)
The Scarlet Letter as a Gothic Romance	102	(3)
The Structure of The Scarlet Letter	105	(4)
CliffsNotes Review	109	(3)
Q&A	109	(1)
Identify the Quote	110	(1)
Essay Questions	110	(1)
Practice Projects	111	(1)
CliffsNotes Resource Center	112	(3)
Books	112	(1)
Internet	113	(1)
Magazines and Journals	113	(1)
Video	114	(1)
Send Us Your Favorite Tips	114	(1)
Index	115